Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez, who came to the US at 15 and was a DACA recipient, found her legal status could not protect her from deportation. She was detained during a green card interview and deported back to Mexico within 24 hours.

The rapidity of her detention and deportation highlights a troubling trend: even individuals with legally protected statuses are now subject to unexpected raids and arrests under stricter immigration policies. President Trump’s administration implemented quotas for daily deportations, leading to a broader net that ensnares more people, including those with legal rights.

Strikingly, Maria was informed she would be taken to Tijuana but was instead transported through multiple US cities before crossing the border. Her daughter only learned of her mother’s whereabouts after she had been deported. The process left Maria feeling traumatized and anxious about the future, especially regarding her separation from her US-born daughter.

Despite facing significant financial struggles upon returning to Mexico for 40 days, Maria is determined to regain her footing in the US. She views her situation as unlawful and believes she has every right to remain in the country where she raised a family and built a life over two decades.